Agenda and decisions

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 3 December, 2024 be agreed as

a correct record.

(i)               That the contents of this update report be noted.

(ii)             That the request for the Council to be a principal party in the appeal process as set out in section 2 of this report, be noted.

(iii)            That, If participation on the terms set out in recommendation 2 is agreed by the Planning Inspectorate, the participation of the Council in that process be endorsed.

(i)                   That the progress on the completion of the Revenue (Appendix 1) and Capital Budgets (Appendix 4) be noted.

(ii)                 That the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 (Appendix 2) be noted.

(iii)                That the strategy for ensuring a balanced revenue outturn position for 2024/25 be noted.

(iv)                That the calculation of the Council Tax base and the Council Tax increase to be proposed for 2025/26 of 1.99% per Band D equivalent property be noted.

(v)                 That the risk assessment at Appendix 3 and the Section 151 Officer’s recommendation on the level of reserves and contingencies provisionally required to be maintained in 2025/26 be noted.

(vi)                That the draft Capital Strategy (Appendix 5) for 2025/35 be noted.

(vii)              That the draft Treasury Management Strategy (Appendix 6) for 2025/26 be noted.

(viii)             That the draft Investment Strategy (Appendix 7) for 2025/26 be noted.

(ix)                That the draft Commercial Strategy (Appendix 8) for 2025/26 be noted.

(x)                 That the Asset Management Strategy (Appendix 9) for 2023/28 be noted.

(xi)                That the draft Budget and Council Tax proposals be referred to Finance, Assets and   Performance Scrutiny Committee for comment before the final proposals are considered at Cabinet on 4 February 2025.

That the fees and charges proposed to apply from 1 April, 2025, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved.

(i)               That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder be authorised to sign any such agreements as may be necessary to complete the refurbishment of Navigation House for its use as a Homeless Hub and accommodation.

(ii)              That an amendment to the Housing Assistance Policy to include discretionary applications for creating ‘accessible’ supported housing provision for disabled people in housing need, be authorised.

(iii)            That the allocation of  funding as set out in the report, be authorised.

(i)                   That the progress achieved from 2009/10 in decarbonising the Councils operational buildings and fleet by 68.37% and 35% during the past twelve months, be noted.

(ii)                 That the progress made be referred to the Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee for scrutiny and comments.

(iii)                That the key activities being undertaken by individual service areas, currently and planned for 2025/26, be noted.

That the changes in memorial sizes, as detailed in the report, alongside the Terms and Conditions – be approved.

That the Forward Plan be received and noted.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972:

DEVOLUTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION: WHITE PAPER

(i)               That the contents and implications of the English Devolution White Paper be noted.

(ii)              That Cabinet pledges to stand up for the historic independence of the Borough.

(iii)            That Cabinet continues to work through the Staffordshire Leaders Board to develop and deliver devolution as set out in the Board’s submission to Government in September 2024.

(iv)            That the petitioning of residents in relation to the preservation of the Borough, be supported.

(v)             That Newcastle-Under-Lyme’s Members of Parliament be called upon to support the Borough’s preservation, and that they engage with Government Ministers in stating the case for the Borough.

(vi)            That the Leader & Chief Executive write to the Deputy Prime Minister and relevant Ministers stating the Council’s position.

(vii)          That a report from the Leader of the Council be submitted to Full Council on 22 January, 2025 , setting out the details of the Government’s Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation White Paper and how this Council can stand up for the independence of its Borough.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following reports, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration if the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

That the confidential appendix be received and noted.

That the recommendation, contained within the confidential report be agreed